Boasting one of the largest campuses in Singapore, it isn’t surprising that the National University of Singapore (NUS) is home to many food gems. Besides offering delicious food, most eateries, cafes, and restaurants here are also reasonably priced, making them appealing to students. From drool-worthy pasta to late-night munchies, we’ve rounded up some of the best NUS food places and Supper Stretch food places that you should definitely check out.
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From faculty canteens to restaurant establishments, NUS is home to a wide variety of eateries, catering to both students and staff alike. Here are the best NUS food places around the campus.
Located right next to the bus stop of University Town, Udon Don Bar is a Japanese restaurant specialising in udon and donburi. It’s easy to mistake the eatery for an atas food court with its sleek wooden furnishings, plush table booths, and fairy lights adorning the ceiling, while in fact, the food prices here are actually quite reasonable.
The menu sees a variety of Japanese rice bowls, including Salted Egg Chicken Donburi ($9.50), Spicy Garlic Miso Pork Don ($9.90), and Black Pepper Beef Don ($10.90). They also serve various noodle dishes, such as the Beef Udon ($8.90) and Shio Kosho Kuro Tonotsu Ramen ($9.90).
Address: 1 Create Way, #01-12, Town Plaza, University Town, Singapore 138602
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6694 6240
Website
Udon Don Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
Located at University Sports Centre, Sloppy B is a relatively hidden alternative to the nearby canteen at Yusof Ishak House. It is a popular haunt for students craving a comforting meal with friends after their CCAs. Their crowd-favourite pastas include the spicy chipotle kick of the Chipopo ($8.90) and the deep green Pesto Verde ($8.90). They also offer a variety of loaded sandwiches such as the Chickpacito ($8.90) that is stuffed with chicken, avocado and more, and the classic Loxie ($12.90), which features smoked salmon.
Address: 2 Sports Drive, #03-03, University Sports Centre, Singapore 117288
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 8pm, Sat 10am to 2pm
Sloppy B is not a halal-certified eatery.
There’s no shortage of hot debate amongst NUS students on which canteen has the best mala, from PGP and UTown, to The Deck. A new contender has descended to blow all competition out of the water: A Hot Hideout, a popular mala chain that originated from a rival university. Their fifth outlet in Singapore is located in PGP at Kent Ridge, and many students swear by it as the new best mala in NUS. Get your mala stir fried at a base price of $1.50, or choose your soup base starting from $1.50 for the Collagen Soup. Then, load up on your liao, which are priced at $2.68 per 100 grams for all ingredients. They are also open till 1:30am daily, perfect for your late-night mala cravings.
Read our A Hot Hideout review.
Address: 27 Prince George’s Park, #02-01, National University of Singapore, Singapore 118425
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 1:30am
Website
A Hot Hideout is not a halal-certified eatery.
Those looking for yummy and affordable YTF should look no further than the Yong Tau Foo and Laksa Stall at The Deck. This popular stall has perpetually long queues—one for picking your ingredients and the other for food collection. It may take up to 20 minutes before you receive your order, but according to regulars, the wait is worth it.
For just $3.50, you can choose up to nine different ingredients, including bee hoon, seaweed chicken, and crab stick. You can also choose to switch the clear soup to laksa soup, which is said to have a fragrant coconut milk flavour.
Address: 11 Computing Drive, The Deck, Singapore 117416
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm
Yong Tau Foo and Laksa at The Deck is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you’re able to brave the frighteningly long queues here, the Japanese Stall at The Deck is where you’ll find some of the most beloved Japanese meals amongst students. The most popular dish is the Chicken Katsu Don ($4.30), known for its sizeable, crispy chicken cutlet and affordable price. An option for fish lovers is the Chicken and Salmon Don ($5.30), where you can enjoy their popular chicken katsu with a piece of grilled salmon.
Address: 11 Computing Drive, The Deck, Singapore 117416
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm
Japanese Stall at The Deck is not a halal-certified eatery.
Hailing from Amoy Street Food Centre, TempuRamen has relocated to serve NUS students at the newly renovated Yusof Ishak House food court. They serve up comforting Japanese meals at affordable prices, such as the Mazesoba, which comes with large chashu slices and minced meat, and goes for only $5.80. Try out their special dishes as well, which include the dry Fire Chicken Ramen ($6.90) and the Creamy Mentaiko Udon ($7.50).
Address: 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Yusof Ishak House, Kiosk 2, Singapore 119078
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9pm
Website
TempuRamen is not a halal-certified eatery.
Tucked away in the corner of the Innovation 4.0 building is Nami Cafe, which is known for its sashimi and sushi rice bowls. Students have good things to say about the Nami Signature Bowl (from $8.80), one of their most popular orders featuring a mix of fresh salmon sashimi, cucumber, and avocado slices.
Other yummy bowls on the menu include the Szechuan Mala (from $8.80), Hokkaido Miso Ramen (from $7.80), and Mentaiko Truffle (from $8.80). As the cafe is popular among students and staff, you can expect longer waiting times, especially during the peak lunch hour.
Address: 3 Research Link, #01-01, Innovation 4.0, Singapore 117602
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5pm
Website
Nami Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Originally from Sunset Way, Burnt Cones serves up artisanal gelato and coffee, making it a great spot to get your dessert fix after class or activities. Their gelato scoops start from $5 for a single, going up to $7 for their more premium flavours. Go for unique, rich flavours such as the Bronte Pistachio or Ube, or enjoy classics such as the 85% Dark Choc or Stracciamenta (Mint Chocolate). Add a Buttermilk Waffle ($7) as a base for an Instagram-worthy plate. If you’re here early, you can check out their breakfast menu, which includes The Lot ($16), a sizeable breakfast platter. They now have two outlets in NUS: one at MD11, and a newer opening at University Hall.
Read our Burnt Cones review.
Website | List of outlets
Burnt Cones is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you ever find yourself in Frontier AKA Science Canteen, be sure to try the food at Chef’s Wok, which is arguably one of the most famous halal food stalls in NUS. The food here is not only delicious but also affordably priced. Despite the stall’s long queues, the service here is impressively fast as the stall uncle always manages to fulfil each order efficiently.
For just $2.30, you can enjoy chicken hor fun or roasted duck noodles, while $2.60 can get you a bowl of rice topped with a generous amount of lemon chicken chunks. Additional vegetables, such as cabbage and onion,s can be added to your meal for $0.60.
Address: 12 Science Drive 2, Frontier, Singapore 117549
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 7am to 12pm
Tel: 6516 4760
Chef’s Wok is a halal-certified eatery.
Another popular lunch spot at Frontier is Uncle Penyet, a name you may recognise if you’re a big ayam penyet fan. Students from other faculties often crossed the campus just to try their food—testament to their popularity.
Get the Ayam Penyet Set ($5.90), featuring a huge crispy chicken that’s juicy on the inside, served with savoury taupok, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and lettuce. Those who’re looking for healthier food options can try their Steamed Chicken Set ($5.50), which comes with white rice and a drizzle of spicy curry sauce.
Address: 4 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Science Drive 2, Frontier Phase 1 Cafe, Singapore 117549
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 8pm, Sat 9am to 3pm
Tel: 6684 6627
Website
Uncle Penyet is a halal-certified eatery.
For those of us who spent our final examination period mugging away at UTown Starbucks, you may be familiar with SuperSnacks, which is located just a minute’s walk away. They also have a newer outlet at Prince George’s Park.
This fast-food cafe is popular among students as they open until 2am, and offers typical late-night snacks, including kaya waffles and cheese quesadillas. If you’re craving something sweet, there’s the Soya Ice Cream ($1), a simple yet satisfying non-dairy soft serve.
SuperSnacks also offers chicken rice specials from 11am to 3pm. The Sambal Chicken Rice ($5.50) and BBQ Chicken Rice ($5.50) are two good options for those looking for something filling!
Website | Full List of outlets
SuperSnacks is not a halal-certified eatery.
My days of staying at UTown were marked by frequent visits to Hwang’s. This Korean eatery serves up comforting dishes that are both affordable yet flavourful. My absolute favourite menu item is the Ddukbaegi Samgyebsal ($8.30)—or just ordered as “Number 10”—featuring spicy marinated pork belly in a hot stone bowl. You can also get a similar experience with the Spicy Pork Bulgogi ($7.20), served on a hot plate, or other bulgogi meats such as the Beef and Chicken ($8) or Mackarel and Pork ($7.90). They also offer comforting dishes such as Samgyetang ($8.30), or ginseng chicken soup, and Bibimbap ($6.60).
Address: 1 Create Way, #01-09, University Town, Singapore 138602
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am to 9pm
Website
Hwang’s is not a halal-certified eatery.
Supper Stretch, as it is colloquially known amongst students, is a row of eateries along Clementi Road, beside Kent Ridge Bus Terminal. It is a popular spot for students seeking a meal after activities when the stores at UTown have closed for the day, as most restaurants here open until late at night. Our tip: take Internal Bus A1 or A2 to Kent Ridge Bus Terminal to access Supper Stretch easily. Here are our top picks for the best food places at NUS Supper Stretch.
Formerly known as Ameens, as some students still call it today, Al Amaan Restaurant is a super popular mamak place for students after their CCA activities or for residents of the halls nearby. There is an immense selection of dishes on the menu here, with their most popular order being Butter Chicken (from $9), accompanied by various Naan (from $1.90). I personally love their Pattaya ($7), which is fried rice topped with a giant fluffy egg, and their Roti John ($6.50)—comforting supper foods after a long day at school. Before I forget, get their student-favourite Cheese Fries ($6.50) on the side too to share with your friends.
Address: 12 Clementi Road, Singapore 129742
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 4:45am
Al Amaan Restaurant is a muslim-owned eatery.
Ng Kuan Chilli Pan Mee serves up tasty Malaysian-style pan mee, with their Signature Dry Chilli Ban Mian going for $6.80. You can add deep-fried proteins on the side, such as in their Chicken Cutlet Ban Mian ($8.80) and the Pork Cutlet Ban Mian ($8.80). I would always order a side of Deep Fried Intestines ($10) to share, which are sinfully crisp and oily. Other sides include Fried Squid Tentacles ($10) and Fried Mid Wings ($6), which are great for supper snacks.
Address: 14 Clementi Road, Singapore 129743
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 4am
Ng Kuan Chilli Pan Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Standing strong for generations of NUS students, Fong Seng Nasi Lemak goes hard with their halal nasi lemak, served late into the night. Their Chicken Wing Set starts at $4.50, coming with a crispy, juicy chicken wing and a runny egg. The Teriyaki Chicken Set ($5.50) and Teriyaki Saba Set ($6.50) both add a Japanese flair to the quintessential nasi lemak formula. If you’re looking to splurge, get their Royal Teriyaki Set ($8.50) to fulfil your late-night hunger pangs. You can also mix and match ingredients in their a la carte menu.
Address: 22 Clementi Road, Singapore 129751
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6am to 4am
Website
Fong Seng Nasi Lemak is a halal-certified eatery.
Whether you’re a student from NUS or you just happen to be in the area, you now know the most popular food places at NUS and nearby at Supper Stretch to check out if you’re feeling hungry!
For more good food in the west, read our Jurong Point food places guide. You might also be interested in our SMU food guide if you’re campus hopping.
Feature image adapted from William M via Google Maps